Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro signed Executive Order 29 on May 19, 2026, adopting the Local Investment Plan for Health (LIPH) as the province's strategic health framework. The newly institutionalized framework prioritizes equitable health service delivery for Cebu's vulnerable, indigent, and marginalized sectors, including residents in geographically isolated areas.
Focus on Vulnerable Groups
The directive specifically mandates attention to residents in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICC/IP), indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), women, and children. According to the order, the LIPH and Annual Operational Plans (AOPs) prioritize equitable health service delivery with a particular focus on these sectors.
Strategic Planning Framework
The LIPH serves as a medium-term strategic and investment plan defining health priorities, strategies, and resource requirements. The provincial government also adopted the AOPs, which will guide budgeting, programming, and implementation of local health interventions. This framework ensures that provincial health priorities are integrated into key planning documents such as the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), Local Development Investment Program (LDIP), and Annual Investment Program (AIP).
Bottom-Up Approach
The Cebu Provincial Health Board and the Provincial Health Office prepared the plan using a bottom-up planning approach. Health needs from component cities and municipalities were gathered and integrated into the provincial health agenda. National government agencies, local government units, and private sector stakeholders participated in the process.
Legal Basis
The order is based on Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), which requires local government units to promote public welfare, including health protection and improvement. It also supports Republic Act 11223 (Universal Health Care Act), which establishes an integrated health system ensuring equitable access to quality and affordable health services for all Filipinos and mandates the creation of Province-Wide Health Systems (PWHS).
Flexibility for Updates
Under Section 2 of the directive, the LIPH and its AOPs may be revised or updated as needed to respond to emerging health concerns, policy changes, and other conditions affecting the province-wide health system.
